THE END OF AN ERA

Aww my darlin Sista friends, time is quickly winding down and before you know it will we will be in a brand new year.  I recently took a quick trip home to NewYork to visit my family. While I was there, I got a craving for a NY staple some good ole white castles.  Now I have eaten this relatively cheap treat for years, but for some reason things did not turn out like it normanly does. After eating the tasty mini burgers I became so sick it was unreal.  At one point I thought I might have to go to the ER I was feeling so bad.  After drinking two cups of  hot tea and a few tums, I started feeling a tad bit better.  But the experience made me realize that this was the END OF AN ERA no more of the cute little burgers for me. Now the fact that I had enjoyed that food since I can remember meant nothing other than it's time to make a change.  In fact my coming to the conclusion that I can no longer eat that food means the END of an ERA.  Some of us need to come to the same conclusion things, need to change in our lives.  I know your mama and her mama did it that way but it doesn't mean it's working for you.  Yes you've been with that Man for years, but for years you have struggled, fought, disagreed and none of it for the good.  You are no better off today than you were 10 years ago.  Now I'm not telling anyone to leave their Husband, S.O. (significant other) or the likes;  what I am saying is sometimes it comes to a point where you have to recognize when it's time to close the chapter on something to start a new one.  Some of the most historic and popular locations, stores etc. after so many years realize things and times change and they have to make a change that may include ending the chapter.  I was so surprised and somewhat saddend when a very large popular high end store called Fortunoff's in New York closed.  That was the End of an Era for not just New Yorkers but people from around the world.  Within the next few days before we ring in the new year, I want you to think about your life now.  Are there things that you know have been going on for years that have not been beneficial to you and your family?  Are there some things that need to come to an end so that you can begin anew?

You want to be loved and have someone in your life who will appreciate the fabulous Diva that you are, but that love can't enter your life because you keep letting that same trifling tired, joker in and out of your life.  Blocking your blessing. Well my diva it's time to come to the END OF AN ERA.

What is the end of an era for you?  If you went to a buffet to have dinner, and you had food sitting on your plate that had turned cold and stale, the restauratnt brought out hot fresh food.  would you take that same plate with the cold food on it to get the fresh hot food? No you would get a new plate. 

There's a passage of bible scripture that says: Matthew 9:16,17 NIV

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.

Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.  No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are perserved.

Are you ready to come to THE END OF AN ERA.

Be blessed always, Diva Val

DON'T FORGET JESUS AFTER THE SEASON

Ok so after the christmas shopping, sales and bargins galore.  The children, spouse, parents, family etc are happy.  You smile as you watch that new flat screen tv or you're sore from playing so many games on the kids new wii or Xbox 360 what's next?  The New Year rings in with you promising yet another year to spend less money, to get out of debt. To join the gym to loose that baby fat although your baby is now 17 years old.  We all sing with Kirk Franklin Jesus is the reason for the season, but do we keep him in our lives all year round.  If I never post again and if I never get another opportunity to leave you with a word of encouragement.  This is the best one I could ever give DON'T forget Jesus after the Season. Make him as much a part of your Life as breathing and eating.  And if you've tried everything else to find happiness, joy, love, and peace of mind and it hasn't worked it's time to try something new. 

Rev. 3:20 NIV. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me..

Invite him in.  He'll be the best dinner guest you'll ever had.

love Always, Diva Val

BAGGAGE CHECK

So this time of year most of us are usually traveling.  I just took a weekend trip to visit one of my best friends in Greensboro NC.  Amazingly, I only took One bag.  Now you may be thinking and for this she felt the need to blog?  YES! my traveling with only one bag is EPIC.  I always over pack.  Why ladies do we do that?  IDK anywho this of course got me to thinking about the topic at hand.  BAGGAGE. As the year whines down what better time to let go of some of the baggage weighing us down and preventing us from moving forward in life. It's time my Sister friends to let go of past hurts, disappointments and regrets.  Ok so you didn't pledge when you were in college Get over it!  or you didn't finish college again GET OVER IT! if you want to go back then make it happen.  Your first boyfriend dumped you over 30 years ago and you still need closure ARE YOU SERIOUS? that looser was trying to hump everything with a pulse and you still going on about how he could have been the one REALLY? Divas let's loose the baggage. It's been weighing some of down for years and years.  Now you are 32 looking like a 69 year old.  You can use the best make up around it won't help.  I know this sounds brutal but it's real and needs to be said.  Aren't you tired of being tired and sad?  Then it's time to pack up all your stuff and drop it off at the nearest dumpster.  In the words of a great classis song I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW THE RAIN is gone and I'm gonna add the baggage too.  Ok ok it might sound corny but work with me.  As long as you get the message!  I'm so excited the closer we get to the New Year, what about you?  Are you writng out your goals, forget resolutions, be honest and be realistic and write out your goals for the New Year.  I know without a doubt you can do this.  I also know the year can be as great as you want it and make it.  But first you have to dump the BAGGAGE.   This is tight but it's right!

Be blessed, Diva Val

RUNNING ON EMPTY

Today I had to go get my hair did! It was a hot raggedy mess. LOL   I was soooooooooo glad to get in that chair to get my hair done.  While on the way I glanced at my gas meter to see it was almost on E. I knew however, that I had enough to get me to the salon.  That got me to thinking how often we run ourselves into the ground until we are running on empty. Especially this time of the year.  We run around like chickens without heads. from Thanksgiving until the New Year we are ripping and running. Well it's time to make a change. Let's start the new year with a new frame of mind. One that will allow us to take better care of ourselves without feeling guilty.  Each year I write out goals I want to accomplish for the year, its a fabulous way to stay on track in accomplishing things for your life.   One of the things it took me some time to learn was to slow down so I could gather my thoughts. I once heard someone say you can always be busy and never accomplish anything.  How sad but true, so if I have to slow way down and yet accomplish one or two things as oppose to being forever busy and accomplishing anything I choose the former.  How many times or days do you go to bed only to wake up tired?   If you are carrying more luggage under your eyes than the trunk of your car you my dear are running on empty.  Why does it take us being flat on our backs to realize we are over doing things?  Is the only time you can relax or slow down is to be sick? That's sad and unhealthy!  I urge you Divas please stop running on empty.  Find a quiet time for yourself. Listen to music, take a long hot soothing bath with some candles and a glass of wine.  That's not expensive nor is it something just for the movies.  And please for God's sake stop thinking you can't treat yourself to such things unless it's involving a Man! Screaming Snap out of it!.  Now this is in no way a shoop shoop (waiting to exhale moment)  It's just a call to action.  We have (29) days left to this year.  Let's start making plans now for a FABULOUS New Year.   Are you ready willing and able to start your second half.  I know I am.   Let's Get It Divas!

Be blessed, Diva Val